Ajay Solanki, director of Campus Needs, recently launched a magazine by the youth and for the youth. Aptly titled Youth Beat, this magazine is all about educating the youth to make them ready for their future, he tells Deebashree Mohanty
How did this concept of a youth based magazine come aboutIJ
I have always wanted to do something for the youth of this country because they are the future. I wanted to test general awareness in students from all grades in all forms of schools in Delhi and NCR. In one of my rounds, to my utter surprise, I discovered that these students actually don’t know anything much about their country and about what is happening in the rest of the world. They were clueless about the name of our President and Prime Minister. This pathetic state of affairs had an impact on me. I wanted to do something for these students, to make them more aware of their surroundings. I wanted to prepare them better to face stiff competition. Since I didn’t have the capital to start a college or an institution on my own, I wanted to teach the students virtually through a youth awareness magazine. As we go along, I propose to also train students in various activities.
What is the kind of response you have seen towards Youth Beat, the magazine (YB)IJ
It’s too early in the day to comment about the response but I would like to think positively. Since its launch we have received requests from over 70 schools who want to subscribe to YB. We are hopping to triple that number very soon. Also our focus is on spreading awareness to every nook and corner of the country. A few years down the line, I would like to see other schools in India subscribe to Youth Beat.
What about subscription feesIJ
It’s very nominal. For the first month we would request the school to take it up. But later we would like the students to subscribe for the magazine on their own. We will be happy to include student’s responses and their columns in the magazine. We will also invite contributions (articles/forums/theme based reports) from students. As for the pricing, it will cost Rs 20 for a private school, Rs 10 for Kendravidyalas and free of cost for all Government schools.
Tell us about the content of the magazine and how will it help to prepare students for a better futureIJ
The content is very focused yet not too rigid. We will welcome a change of format if something topical needs to be discussed. The aim of the magazine is to inform students and make them ready to pick a career of their choice. We are also going to make them more comfortable in facing the world. The content of the magazine will deal with challenges and issues that the youth faces.
Through Youth Beat, a student will not just get to learn mundane things but he will know how to apply them in real life as well.
Tell us about Campus NeedsIJ
Campus Needs is doing very well. Many of our students have been picked up by reputed institutions abroad for further studies and that too free of cost. Recently, we have heard from universities in los Angeles and Boston who want to take 120 students (in two batches) to explore opportunities in their campuses. All expenses are to be borne by the foreign universities. If by the end of the month the student doesn’t want to enroll for any course in that college, he is welcome to come back and start afresh in India.